Middle English Dictionary Entry
nẹ̄delē̆s adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | nẹ̄delē̆s adj. Also neode-, (error) neþe-. |
| Etymology | From nẹ̄de n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Excess, superfluous; extravagant, vain; without purpose; (b) of actions or emotions: lacking good or appropriate cause, unmotivated; of speech: idle; ~ begging, ~beggerie, begging by those not in want; (c) unavailing, ineffective; (d) not in want, affluent; as noun: those not in want [quot.: Wycl.LFCatech.].
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)8b/a : So þat þu vnderstond, as he seiþ in quarto, after a best no body to be ydel no nedelez [Ch.(2): vayne; L frustra], bot for to be made after necessite with conuenient complexion & composicioun.
- a1450(1414) Whanne alle a kyngdom (Dgb 102)91 : Nedeles delys, and nedeles gys, Þe wastours out of worschip spende.
- ?a1450(?c1400) Wycl.LFCatech.(Lamb 408)72/1092 : Lord, how cursyd be þe ypocritys þat..ravischyn ryche mennys almes fro pore nedy men..and drawys yt to hem self to make nedles howsys.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)386 : Almes-dede schuld be..no tribulacion to þo þat ȝeuen it..And herfore criste techiþ in þe gospelle to do almes of þo þinges þat ben needeles or superflue.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)72 : Many nedeles officers and governours..was reignyng and ruling over theym.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.647 : Ydel wordes ben tho that ben nedelees [vrr. neþeles, neodelees] or with outen entente of naturel profit.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)97 : Freris distrien the comouns by sotil and nedeles begginge and bi fals flateringe and letters of fraternite.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1141 : For þi nedeles wickedhede, þou sal lede euer þi lijf in nede.
- c1430 Chaucer TC (Cmb Gg.4.27)3.889 : His sorwe Is nedeles [vr. causeles], it schal be sene to morwe.
- ?c1430(?1383) Wycl.Curse (Corp-C 296)274 : Oure weiward prelatis..senden freris þat..robben þe pore peple bi stronge beggynge and nedles.
- ?c1430 Wycl.PPPriests (Corp-C 296)278 : Þat pore tenauntis of oure lond be not robbid bi þe gredy & nedles beggeris of sotel ypocritis hauynge þe name of religiouse men.
- a1450(a1397) WBible(2) GProl.(Hrl 1666)p.33 : To absteyne fro oothis nedeles..is..cause now whi prelatis..sclaundren men and clepen hem lollardis.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)4931 : Leete alle these nedeles rehersayles be.
c
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1630 : Seint thomas..confortede is men a-non; 'beth stille,' he seide, 'ȝe makiez deol neodeles [Corp-C: nedles deol] nouþe ech-on.'
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)381 : Al watz nedlez her note, for never cowþe stynt Þe roȝe raynande ryg.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)15868 : My broþer aȝari, þis is nedlese, neuyn yt noyght.
d
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3267 : The Erthe..hath of himself ynowh, So that his nede is ate leste..And thus I mai be resoun sein That Erthe is the most nedeles, And most men helpe it natheles.
- ?a1450(?c1400) Wycl.LFCatech.(Lamb 408)43/666 : Who brekys þe thyrde maundement..men þat do not werkys of mercy wysly..For þey don here almes more to the nedles þan to þe verry nedy.